Miguel Angel Lopez provisionally suspended by UCI over a 'potential anti-doping rule violation'
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ByEurosport
Updated 25/07/2023 at 17:30 GMT
Miguel Angel Lopez had his contract with Astana Qazaqstan terminated in December 2022 because of what his now former team called a "probable connection" with Dr Marcos Maynar, who was being investigated as part of a doping scandal. And now comes the announcement of a UCI-imposed provisional suspension arising from a "potential anti-doping violation".
Miguel Ángel López
Image credit: Getty Images
Cycling's world governing body the UCI has provisionally suspended Miguel Angel Lopez from racing due to a “potential anti-doping rule violation”.
The violation is said to have come before the 2022 Giro d'Italia, a race that the Colombian withdrew from on Stage 4.
A statement from the UCI said: “Based on an investigation conducted by the International Testing Agency (ITA), including evidence obtained from the Spanish law enforcement authorities (Guardia Civil) and the Spanish Anti-Doping Organisation (CELAD) during the investigation into Dr Marcos Maynar, the UCI has today notified Miguel Angel Lopez of a potential anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).
“After review of the information and material provided by the ITA on 26 June and 7 July 2023, the Colombian rider has been notified of a potential ADRV for use and possession of a prohibited substance in the weeks prior to the Giro d’Italia 2022.
"The UCI has decided to provisionally suspend the rider pending the final decision.
“Since 1 January 2021, the operations of the UCI anti-doping programme have been delegated to the ITA. Investigations into potential ADRVs are thus conducted independently by the ITA and, once completed, their outcome is referred to the UCI for results management purposes.
“No further comment will be made at this stage of the proceedings.”
Lopez has been riding for Colombian outfit Team Medellin-EPM after having his contract with Astana Qazaqstan terminated in December 2022 because of what they called a “probable connection” with Dr Maynar, who was being investigated as part of a doping scandal.
Lopez has consistently maintained his innocence, and he later announced he would be taking his former employers to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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